Posted Monday, March 21, 2011   8:43 p.m.

I had some real success with scaring all of you off today, other than a busload from the Rifle Recreation District and one family of those who choose the shoe.   Pretty much had the whole place to myself, and Outer Limits (former Loop 4) was well  groomed.  Wait, we don’t groom that anymore, went to the Lynx’s, but we’ve got a contingent that has been skiing it all year, and it was the perfect place to hide out on this day.  Hide from what I’m not quite sure. Thanks Limitless crew!  Great little tour if you’ve never been “Out” there.

Was amazed at how well our set had held up in the trees, and even the drifts in the wide open were easily negotiated going classic, good spring wind buff.   Note to the skate set, it’s going to be one heck of a crust!  Every acre ski-able soon.

Snow on now, grooming to resume Wednesday a.m.  Watch your waxless skis, might be time for a little of the hot warm stuff on the tips and tails………….

dc  8:56 p.m. 3/21/11

Posted Wednesday, March 23, 2011  5:33 p.m.

Overview: Snow and wind return tomorrow, limited quantities forecast at this point.  The outlook through the weekend is more Winter than Spring, darn peachy to some I’m sure.  I kinda like peaches.

All trail groomed and leveled off today, with some good use by the stalwart.   Jon reported a temperature of 7 degrees F upon his arrival this morning.

Skyway: set Wednesday

Sunset- Classic and Skate

Winslow-  Classic and Skate

Lion’s- Classic and Skate

Vista Ridge-Classic and Skate

Arroyo-Classic and Skate

Vista Valley- Classic and Skate

Scales Lake- Classic and Skate

Will’s Hill- Classic and Skate

County Line: All trails set Wednesday

Dog Loop:  Classic and Skate

Tower: (Former Dog Trail and Scales past the tower site to the overlook): Classic and Skate

Loop 1: Classic and Skate

Loop 2:  Classic and Skate

Overlook: (former Loop 3 section from parking lot to overlook)  Classic and Skate

Scales Glade: (former Loop 3 section from old Dog Trail back to Loop 2) Classic and Skate

Ward:

Ward Trail: No longer groomed, but the skiing goes on.

dc 5:42 p.m. 3/23/11

HEAVY WIND ADVISORY

Posted Monday, March 21, 2011   6:32 a.m.

I might dub today “The Worst Day To Ski” with cloudy conditions and winds 35-45 mph, gusting in the neighborhood of 60.  We should start to see some calming as the week progresses.  Snow is forecast for tonight and tomorrow, we could easily pick up another foot.  Wednesday shows some real promise, with sunny skies, minimal wind and seasonal temps.  Much better day for sustainable grooming.  Until then, heavy winds cover track in a hurry.  Best skiing today is again the same as the previous four.  Stay in the trees on Sunset and Winslow at Skyway, utilize Overlook and Scales Glade at County Line.  Getting old, me and the grooming report.   Better days to come.

dc 6:38 a.m. March 21, 2011

Posted Friday, March 18, 2011   9:29 p.m.

Overview: Still hoping to hear back from the moonlight set.   Did get out later in the day, found track in the wide opens to be gone in 20 minutes or less from set.  Should of ordered a pizza.

Winds are gusting big, best skiing in the protected glades, Sunset, Winslow, Scales Glade.   200 gallons left in the feeder tank, a bit spendie too.  4 cars in the lot at CL, 8 at Skyway.   No time for perpetual grooming.  Budget speak.

Groomers on site tomorrow, skiing, this and that, one rumored to be running a para-foil.  Share with us your thoughts!

Skyway

Sunset- Classic and Skate set Friday

Winslow-  Classic and Skate set Friday

Lion’s- Classic and Skate set Friday Drift Metropolis

Vista Ridge-Classic and Skate set Friday -Safety Dance

Arroyo-Classic and Skate set Friday Drift City

Vista Valley- Classic and Skate  set Friday Drift City

Scales Lake- Classic and Skate set Friday-usual mixed  wind bag

Will’s Hill- Classic and Skate set Friday  Still fun, needs a 70m jump, 30 we can build

County Line:

Dog Loop:  Classic and Skate  -set Friday, dogs generally are happy

Tower: (Former Dog Trail and Scales past the tower site to the overlook): Classic and Skate set Friday

Loop 1: Classic and Skate set Friday, usual wind bag

Loop 2:  Classic and Skate set Friday, who goes up to ski this anyways? just a link

Overlook: (former Loop 3 section from parking lot to overlook)  Classic and Skate set Friday, Safety Dance

Scales Glade: (former Loop 3 section from old Dog Trail back to Loop 2) Classic and Skate set Friday, Dance as if no one were watchin’

Ward:

Ward Trail: Classic, set Friday, last time, met a lot of new friends over there this year. The skiing goes on.

dc 9:50 a.m. 3/18/11

Posted Friday, March 11, 2011   8:12 p.m.

Overview: Clouds or not, we have warm air temperatures, like lunch with your gloves off warm.  Spreading mustard warm.   Racers- the doing of the thing goes down at 11 a.m.  Think glide, think spring, think work-out.   You are in for a little changing times.   Winds will be picking up, with gusts as high as 30 mph.   Hope it’s at your back, and wear a big loose coat.

All trails groomed, used, and a little bit abused.   Please look behind you in the soft conditions.  Respect all users.  Nice car or POS pick up, let’s keep the heads up!

dc 8:57 p.m. 3/11/11

Posted Saturday, March 12, 2011   5:30 p.m.

GMNC Members and Grooming Crew heading "off the top" Wednesday

Overview: Great turnout for the Meltdown races today, and partial cloud cover really aided in keeping the course fast.  Lots of PR’s by young and old(er) alike.  Look for a similar weather pattern tomorrow, with again a chance of some snow up until 11 a.m.   None fell during the daylight hours today.

Grooming has held up remarkably well, but some track has faded in the exposed areas and will be attended to in the early a.m.  Even with the forecast breeze, drifting will be minimal due to the forming sun crust and absence of new snow.  If the sky’s open up, this could change.

Skyway

Sunset- Classic and Skate

Winslow-  Classic and Skate

Lion’s- Classic and Skate

Vista Ridge-Classic and Skate

Arroyo-Classic and Skate

Vista Valley- Classic and Skate

Kannah Crossing-Classic and Skate

Scales Lake- Classic and Skate

Will’s Hill- Classic and Skate

County Line:

Dog Loop:  Classic and Skate

Tower: (Former Dog Trail and Scales past the tower site to the overlook): Classic and Skate

Loop 1: Classic and Skate 

Loop 2:  Classic and Skate

Overlook: (former Loop 3 section from parking lot to overlook)  Classic and Skate

Scales Glade: (former Loop 3 section from old Dog Trail back to Loop 2) Classic and Skate

Ward:

Ward Trail: Classic

dc 5:30 p.m. 3/12/11

Posted Friday, March 11, 2011   8:12 p.m.

Overview: Clouds or not, we have warm air temperatures, like lunch with your gloves off warm.  Spreading mustard warm.   Racers- the doing of the thing goes down at 11 a.m.  Think glide, think spring, think work-out.   You are in for a little changing times.

All trails groomed, used, and a little bit abused.   Please look behind you in the soft conditions.  Respect all users.  Nice car or POS pick up, let’s keep the heads up!

dc 8:57 p.m. 3/11/11

Sunday Morning Feb 27, 2011

Highway 65 continues to be closed from gate to gate atop the Mesa.  This comes as no surprise after driving around two natural slides myself Saturday.  And it got better (or worse).  3-5″ my keester.  Try 18″ to 30″ with associated high winds.

Tremendous back country skiing opportunities await upon re-opening. Drop Lycra for Gore.  Avalanche control work scheduled for early a.m. Sunday, related clean-out etc.   Use www.cotrip.org for the very latest on the road.

There is no estimated re-opening at this time.   We hope to resume grooming operations in the early afternoon.  Quite a bit of work.  The Ward trails remain accessible as we let the new snow settle.

dc 6:46 a.m. 2-27-2011

Posted Sunday, February 27, 2011   7:04 p.m.

Overview: An additional 2-4″ of new could be on the ground by tomorrow morning.  Totals from this latest storm cycle are significant, with the highest accumulation seen at County Line with 28″ on the average.  The next two days bring clear skies, warmer temperature, less wind and great skiing.  Grooming operations continue tomorrow at all three trail heads.

Skyway

Sunset- Classic and Skate- Set Sunday

Winslow-  Classic and Skate- Set Sunday

Lion’s- Classic and Skate- Set Sunday.

Vista Ridge-Classic and Skate- Set Saturday, on plan for Monday

Arroyo-Classic and Skate – Natural on plan for Monday

Vista Valley- Classic and Skate-Set Saturday, on plan for Monday

Kannah Crossing-Classic and Skate – Natural and on plan for Monday

Scales Lake- Classic and Skate – Set Sunday

Will’s Hill- Classic and Skate-Natural on plan for Monday

County Line:

Dog Loop:  Classic and Skate-Natural, on plan for Monday

Tower: (Former Dog Trail and Scales past the tower site to the overlook): Classic and Skate-Set to Kannah from Loop One on Sunday

Loop 1: Classic and Skate -Set Sunday

Loop 2:  Classic and Skate -Set Sunday

Overlook: (former Loop 3 section from parking lot to overlook)  Classic and Skate – Natural, on plan for Monday

Scales Glade: (former Loop 3 section from old Dog Trail back to Loop 2) -Set Sunday

Ward:

Ward Trail:  Classic- on plan for Monday

dc 7:17 p.m. 2-27-2011

Tuesday, February 1 , 2011

Overview:

7″ on the new is on the ground at Skyway this morning.  It is butt cold, right around minus 5 now.  Forecast high?  3.  Wind chills to minus 20.   Jon will be up to start the cat and do some grooming, mostly in the trees.  With the high winds and cold, it’s kind of a maintenance day, fix a few things here and there, wait it out, and see what the rest of the week brings.

Skyway  7″ New on the Ground

County Line: New Snow on the Ground

Ward:  New Snow on the Ground

dc 6:53 a.m., 2-1-2011